an exercise in futility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an exercise in futility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or effort that is pointless or unlikely to succeed. Example: "Trying to convince him to change his mind was just an exercise in futility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is an exercise in futility.

The New York Times - Sports

It is often an exercise in futility.

The New York Times - Style

"Obviously an exercise in futility," she said.

The New York Times

To many biologists, this seemed like an exercise in futility.

Columbia University

It is an exercise in futility," said Kohler-Barnard.

The Guardian

Natasha Fairweather, an agent, calls it "an exercise in futility".

The Guardian

"Therefore to speak is an exercise in futility".

The New York Times

In a loveless marriage it seemed an exercise in futility".

The New Yorker

The game itself was just an exercise in futility.

The New York Times - Sports

This, as our team of experts notes, is an exercise in futility.

The New York Times

Animal rights activists dismissed the event as an exercise in futility.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an exercise in futility" when you want to emphasize that an action or effort is not just ineffective, but also fundamentally pointless or doomed to fail from the outset. It adds a layer of stronger negativity than simply saying something is "difficult" or "unlikely to succeed".

Common error

While "an exercise in futility" is widely understood, it carries a slightly formal tone. Avoid using it excessively in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler phrases like "a waste of time" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an exercise in futility" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence, describing a particular activity or endeavor as being pointless or ineffective. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an exercise in futility" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe pointless or unproductive efforts. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While it is often found in news and media, it also appears in academic and business contexts. Consider the slight formality of the phrase and adapt your word choice to the situation. Alternatives include "a pointless endeavor" or "a waste of time". Remember to reserve this strong expression for situations where the effort is truly deemed worthless from the start.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pointless endeavor

Replaces the more formal "exercise in futility" with simpler language, focusing on the lack of purpose.

a futile effort

Similar to "pointless endeavor", highlighting the ineffectiveness of the attempt.

a waste of time

Focuses on the time consumed without any positive outcome.

a lost cause

Emphasizes the hopelessness and impossibility of success.

an unproductive activity

Highlights the lack of tangible results or progress.

a fruitless undertaking

Stresses the lack of positive outcomes despite the effort invested.

a vain attempt

Implies that the effort is motivated by pride or ego, and is therefore destined to fail.

beating a dead horse

An idiom that means to continue discussing a topic that has already been resolved or is no longer relevant.

spinning your wheels

Suggests expending effort without making any real progress.

barking up the wrong tree

Means pursuing a mistaken or misguided course of action.

FAQs

How can I use "an exercise in futility" in a sentence?

You can use "an exercise in futility" to describe any action or effort that is pointless or unlikely to succeed. For example: "Trying to convince him to change his mind was "an exercise in futility"".

What can I say instead of "an exercise in futility"?

You can use alternatives like "a pointless endeavor", "a futile effort", or "a waste of time" depending on the context.

Is "an exercise in futility" formal or informal?

"An exercise in futility" leans towards a slightly formal tone. While understandable in most contexts, consider using simpler alternatives like "a waste of time" in very casual settings.

What's the difference between "an exercise in futility" and "a difficult task"?

"An exercise in futility" implies that the task is not only difficult but also ultimately pointless and without any chance of success. "A difficult task" simply means something is challenging but doesn't necessarily suggest it's impossible or without value.